SPT 124 — So You Want to Work in Sports?
Quarter: Summer
Instructor(s): Andy Dolich
Date(s): Jul 8—Aug 12
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Wednesdays
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 6:00—7:50 pm (PT)
Tuition: $415
Refund Deadline: Jul 10
Unit(s): 1
Status: Registration opens May 18, 8:30 am (PT)
The global sports industry, often estimated in the trillions of dollars, is among the most visible and influential sectors of the modern economy. It operates as a complex ecosystem of competition, capital, and culture—from professional leagues and media rights to a college athletics system reshaped by name, image, and likeness (NIL), the transfer portal, and conference realignment. This course provides a rigorous look at how that ecosystem functions. We examine the structure of professional and amateur systems, trace the flow of revenue and decision-making power, and identify where meaningful career pathways emerge. Students gain insight into hiring practices, skill differentiation, and the realities of navigating a competitive field. Guest speakers, including league executives, recruiters, and industry leaders, offer candid perspectives on recruitment, advancement, and long-term success. Designed for aspiring professionals and intellectually curious fans alike, the course equips students with a grounded understanding of the industry and a disciplined framework for pursuing opportunity within it.
Guest speakers include:
Dave Doroghy, International sports business executive
Al Guido, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers and CEO of Elevate
Matt Levine, Sports business entrepreneur and industry pioneer
Ted Robinson, Award-winning sports broadcaster and longtime voice of NBC Sports and the San Francisco 49ers
Bill Schlough, CIO of the San Francisco Giants
Jess Smith, President of the Golden State Valkyries
Dave Stewart, Former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher and general manager
Please note: The speaker list may be updated as additional participants are confirmed.
Guest speakers include:
Dave Doroghy, International sports business executive
Al Guido, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers and CEO of Elevate
Matt Levine, Sports business entrepreneur and industry pioneer
Ted Robinson, Award-winning sports broadcaster and longtime voice of NBC Sports and the San Francisco 49ers
Bill Schlough, CIO of the San Francisco Giants
Jess Smith, President of the Golden State Valkyries
Dave Stewart, Former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher and general manager
Please note: The speaker list may be updated as additional participants are confirmed.
ANDY DOLICH
President, Dolich Consulting
Andy Dolich has held executive positions in MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Capitals. He is a co-author of Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival, 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes, and LOL, Loss of Logo: What's Your Next Move? He is the co-host of the podcast Life in the Front Office and a columnist for the Ultimate Sports Guide. Textbooks for this course:
(Optional) Jake Hrishman & Andy Dolich, LOL, Loss of Logo, What's Your Next Move? (ISBN 978-1645438519)
(Optional) K.P. Wee, So You Want to Work in Sports: Advice and Insights from Respected Sports Industry Leaders (ISBN 978-1538199008)
(Optional) Michelle Wells, Andy Kreutzer, & Jim Kahler, A Career in Sports: Advice from Sports Business Leaders (ISBN 978-0578044996)
(Optional) K.P. Wee, So You Want to Work in Sports: Advice and Insights from Respected Sports Industry Leaders (ISBN 978-1538199008)
(Optional) Michelle Wells, Andy Kreutzer, & Jim Kahler, A Career in Sports: Advice from Sports Business Leaders (ISBN 978-0578044996)